April 26, 2022
SportTech Startups Changing the Game
Allison Lawrence
The sports industry is always looking for ways to improve player and fan experiences. As a result, there are lots of SportTech startups that have been founded, all aimed at improving the industry in various ways, from making it easier to schedule tournaments to better analysing a player’s performance. The top three areas where most of these startups focus are in connected athletes, fan engagement, and managing solutions.
Here are some exciting startups who are working hard to change the sports industry!
Are You In?
Are You In is a platform aimed at helping change the way that people approach sports matchmaking. This encourages self-improvement and fosters a community of people with similar interests in enjoying sports and eSports. The Are You In ecosystem will include venue management, allow companies to organise sports events for their employees and a referee app for score validation. Tech Alchemy helped to develop their platform on blockchain technology, which makes use of IN tokens to reward MVPs and to empower upcoming athletes. Sponsored athletes on Are You In are rewarded a regular supply of tokens which can be used to help support their training and sporting journey, and as the sponsorship program is based entirely on merit, they’re helping to ensure that sponsorship is based on the ability and potential of the users, and not on their background.
PlayerMaker
PlayerMaker was founded in 2016 and is located in Hoxton, London. They are an athlete performance tracking platform focusing primarily on football. PlayerMaker utilizes a motion sensor strapped on to a player’s boot to provide technical, tactical, and physical analysis for players and coaches. The data that is collected is able to be viewed on a mobile device as soon as a match or practice is finished. Some of the statistics that is collected includes touches, ball releases, kick velocity, distance, and more that can then be compared with average and pro performance stats to see your progress over time.
Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo uses advanced algorithms to make polo more accessible to everyone. Working with Tech Alchemy, they have created software that transforms the polo experience for managers, players, and spectators. The app automatically schedules tournaments and checks player availability, making the process easily navigable. Players can check the app and see their team, stats, and live results. Lineup lets spectators see all local games and alerts them of any attendance requirements; other features include live scores and club/player profiles. Players can upload their availability, saving managers time as the algorithm creates a schedule that is best for all involved. This innovative startup has created a comprehensive and user-focused product that is sure to change the (polo) game.
Supponor
Supponor is a London based startup founded in 2001 who use augmented reality technology to create targeted virtual branding in sports broadcasting. They overlay physical TV visible signage with virtual overlays so that ads can be more targeted to the viewers. This means that if you were to attend a football game, the ads that appear on the perimeter of the pitch may appear different to viewers watching from home. This is accomplished through their proprietary technology that can use visible light signals to accurately overlay LED or static perimeter boards with virtual, dynamic ads in real time.
Sport BUFF
Sport BUFF is engaging sports fans with real time gamification of sports content. They were founded in 2019 in London. They entertain sports fans by creating fun and unique games fans can engage in while watching sports, helping to increase viewer retention for the broadcasts. For instance, fans can compete against each other in game predictions, quizzes, and various other challenges during a live broadcast. This can also be monetized through transactions and sponsorships. Fans are able to play against others for prizes and bragging rights. Sport BUFF has worked with many leagues and broadcasts including FIFA and Fox Sports.